Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-14

Mrs. Henry Nevil, nee Dulaney, the
richest heiress in Virginia, has taken up
her residence in the aristocratic old town
OF Alexandria, Va, for the winter. She
is often seen on the streets with her hus-
band, the handsome young lrishman who
won her at the point of the sword, and
the pair are much admired. Their pres
ence here has set people to talking about
the famous sword contest, in which Nevil
showed himself to be the finest fencer in
the south, and by which he won his bride
and great wealth. 1t occurred some ten
years ago. Miss Dulaney was then the
belle of this part of Virginia. Her faith
er, Col. Hal Delaney, was worth $4,000
600. and the daughter was to inherit half
the amount AS she was beautiful as well
as wealthy, there were many suffers for
her hand. Among them, the two most
favored, were young Englishman named
Randolph, who was an officer in Her
Maiesty's Household Guards, and Henry
NeviI, an Irishman. who had fought in
the French and Austrian armies Both
were handsome. manly fellows, though
not hurdened with riches, and for time
their chances seemed about equal.
1t soon became evident that they hated
each other very cordially, and all tide
water Virginia awaited the result of the
contest for Miss Dulanev's smiles. AS
both ere very high-tempered and famil-
lar with the use Of weapons. the lady had
hard time to keep them from venting
their hatred in bloody way. One even
ing the three were in the drawing room
together The rivals addressed each 9TH
er only when absolutely necessary, and
then with smothered anger in their tones.
Finally Miss Dulaney got tired of that
sort of thing and said laughingly: "Why
don't you 90 ont and have good fight,
instead OF snarlng at each other always?'
I'VE will do it," they exclaimed in one
breath. The lady continued the CONVEX
sation in a bantering tone, not dreaming
that the men were in earnest. Next day.
however, she discovered that they had
actually adopted her laughing suggestion.
When the rivals left the house they at
once arranged the preliminaries for a
duel. A meeting place was selected just
off the Dulaney estate, the time fixed up
on was the following morning al sunrise,
and swords chosen as weapons. At the
time agreed upon they met, with their
seconds. and there ensued the most bloody
duel that had ever taken place on Virginia
soil. 1t was evident from the beginning
that Nevil was the more expert swords
man on account of his experience in the
French army. Randolph handled the
sword well, too, but lacked the grace and
facility of movement of his opponent
Moreover, the Englishman was very much
excited. AS they faced each other they
exchanged chances, which meant plainly
a fight to the death.
Then they set to, Randolph striking
fiercely and wildly at his enemy, while
the lrishman coollv took the defence,
parrving his blows with ease and waiting
his chance tor a thrust, 1t came at last,
add he neatly removed large piece OF
Randolph's ear, The pain seemed to
madden the Englishman, and he bore
down on his enemy with indiscreet
desperation Nevil quietly got in another
stroke, which mutiIated the EngisIman's
nose. The rest of the fight was rough
and tumble on Randolph's part, while
! Nevil not for a moment lost his presence
of mind. He finally disabled the English
man by getting in thrust on his sword
arm. He did this merely to prevent down
RICH, murder. for he knew he could take
Randolph apart piece by piece without
injury to himself and he knew, too, that
Randolph would die rather than yield as
long az he could hold a sword.
Miss Dulaney was sorry for Randolph's
misfortunes. but she smiled more than
ever on Nevil, whom it turned out, she
had loved all the time. Three months
afterward Randolph rose from his sick
bed, disGgured for life, left the country,
and has not been heard from since.
About the same time Nevil and Miss
Dulanev were married. Charleston, s.
c., News and Courier.